In this episode of On Purpose with Jay Shetty, Taylor Hill opens up about her journey navigating challenges and loss. From a young age, her discipline and dedication to athletics honed a strong work ethic that served her well in the demanding world of modeling. Hill shares the profound grief of losing her beloved dog, whom she considered her emotional anchor, highlighting the complex and personal nature of healing.
This conversation delves into Hill's quest to turn her pain into purpose by creating Tate and Taylor, a pet brand fostering community, resources, and support for pet owners. With a vision to honor her companion's memory, Hill aims to empower others by addressing pet ownership's complexities.
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From a young age, Taylor Hill's childhood athletic pursuits like gymnastics, ballet, and snowboarding instilled a strong work ethic that carried through to her modeling career. Her mother nurtured Taylor's dedication despite her skills not reaching the elite level. Taylor's earliest memory, becoming emotional over blowing out birthday candles at age three, showcased her sensitivity - a defining trait. Striving for a "perfect 10" in gymnastics taught Taylor to pursue excellence while accepting imperfection.
At 14, Taylor was scouted and thrust into the fast-paced modeling world, juggling school with commitments like fashion weeks. She ultimately left high school for her GED to pursue modeling full-time. Experiences like booking the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at 18 were exhilarating yet daunting, as Taylor had to adapt to intense physical and emotional demands. She reflects on the complexity of maintaining the brand's strict body standards through disciplined diets and workouts.
Taylor shares the profound grief of losing her beloved dog Tate, whom she considered her "soulmate" and source of unwavering emotional support, even through a previous miscarriage. While some were dismissive of her grief over "just a dog", Taylor stresses the need for greater empathy, as navigating loss is an individualized, complex journey without a set timeline. She's candid about eventually considering starting a family again despite fears from past losses.
Inspired by her challenges caring for Tate during his illness, Taylor created Tate and Taylor - a pet brand providing resources, community connections, and contributions to causes like the Buddy Fund subsidizing pet cancer treatments. She envisions Tate and Taylor honoring Tate's memory by empowering owners to navigate the complexities of pet ownership and loss. Taylor aims to spotlight entrepreneurs passionate about pets, emphasizing an engaging community with high-quality products from women-owned businesses.
1-Page Summary
Taylor's childhood in Chicago played a pivotal role in developing her character traits and work ethic, which would greatly influence her future modeling career.
Although she did not excel at gymnastics, Taylor's passion for the sport began at age nine, alongside her ballet training starting at six, and eventually snowboarding. Despite not seeing herself as particularly skilled, especially in dance and gymnastics, she maintained a deep love for these activities. Her mother's support knew no bounds, understanding that while Taylor wouldn't be Olympic-bound, the joy and satisfaction she derived from gymnastics were immeasurable.
Her sensitivity became apparent at a tender age. Taylor remembers her third birthday party, where the early demonstration of her sensitive side emerged as she became very emotional when a friend blew out her candles before she could. This sensitivity grew to become a defining feature of her personality.
Taylor's early life and formative experiences
Taylor Hill's ascent from a teenager dipping her toes in the fashion world to a stalwart on the catwalk illustrates the relentless demands and personal challenges inherent in the modeling industry.
At just 14, Taylor was scouted which marked the beginning of a whirlwind adventure in modeling, juggling runways and textbooks. She was signed by IMG and showcased at top-tier fashion weeks in Paris and New York. Taylor's family, especially her mother, provided an essential support network, traveling with her and helping her to handle the rigorous requirements of her career. Despite their support, the difficulty of maintaining a personal life alongside her burgeoning career was considerable.
To dedicate herself fully to modeling, Taylor left high school and earned her GED. Although school wasn't her forte and modeling provided an exhilarating alternative, the decision to leave high school for a full-time career in an ephemeral industry like modeling was not without its risks or complexities.
Starting her career at 14, Taylor soon found having to balance her educational commitments. She describes a life that was anything but ordinary for a teenager: extensive travel, month-long stays in foreign countries like Australia and Italy, and navigating different time zones—all while trying to stay connected with school through homeschooling and online classes. Taylor's narrative is one of a child in an adult's world, navigating the challenges of an intensive career while developing her own identity.
By 18, Taylor's modeling career had catapulted her onto the prestigious Victoria's Secret runway—an accolade that brought with it recognition and new pressures to conform to exacting standards of beauty and fitness. Initially, Taylor's natural physique aligned with the brand’s expectations, but as she matured, she had to intensify her workout and diet routines to maintain the brand's exclusive body standards. She speaks candidly about the emotional complexity of this time, emphasizing a healthy approach to her regime but also recognizing the potential negative impact that her fitness journey could have on society's perception of beauty.
Taylor ties her pr ...
Taylor's modeling career and the demands/challenges of that industry
Taylor shares her profound experiences of dealing with the grief coming from the loss of her beloved dog, Tate, and reflects on the journey toward healing from this personal tragedy.
Jay Shetty introduces Taylor Hill's experience of losing her dog Tate, whom she considered a "soulmate" and a massive source of support, particularly through other tough times, including a miscarriage. Tate's strong presence in Taylor's life included being there for her during periods of grief and offering comfort when Taylor faced challenging emotions. Taylor describes the loss of Tate as impacting her deeply, noting that Tate had been a consistent source of solace during her miscarriage.
Taylor shares the distress of learning about Tate's condition when he was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma. She was not in town when Tate was taken to the emergency room and ICU, making the experience even more harrowing. The loss of Tate was not only a private ordeal but also a public one as she received widespread support from other pet owners who shared their grief, making her feel connected and understood. However, she also touched on dismissiveness from some as they trivialized her grief since it was "just a dog." Taylor stresses the importance of allowing one to grieve fully for the loss of a pet and not letting others diminish that process.
Taylor likens the grieving process to navigating an ocean with varying intensities. Almost a year into her grief, she does not feel wholly healed, underlining that there is no set timeline for moving on but instead a continuous path toward healing. She describes the support received from her husband and friends after her miscarriage, appreciating their physical presence and understanding when she needed solitude. Taylor points out the complexity of her emotions during this period, experiencing relief, guilt, and anger.
Communication is key in navigating grief, especially within relationships, and Taylor discusses ho ...
Taylor's experiences with grief, loss, and healing
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Jay Shetty, Taylor Hill, and others provide insight on how Taylor has transformed her personal experiences, especially the loss of her dog, Tate, into an impactful and meaningful business venture called Tate and Taylor.
Taylor Hill discusses how the challenges she faced while caring for her dog Tate during his illness have inspired her to create a pet-focused brand. She aims for Tate and Taylor to be a supportive community that connects pet owners and provides access to resources. Taylor speaks passionately about Tate teaching her responsibility and the care that goes into looking after a pet. This desire to nurture is reflected in the values she embeds in Tate and Taylor.
Hill discusses her business venture, Tate and Taylor, as being very personal, stemming from her love for her dog, Tate, and her experience with his illness. She has become passionate about supporting initiatives like the Buddy Fund to help pet owners afford cancer treatments, stressing the high costs even with insurance. Hill's vision is to create a community where pet owners can find help and guidance, building on her belief that dogs are connectors.
By infusing her brand with intention and a purpose, she wishes to honor Tate's memory and empower others to navigate the complexities of pet ownership, including the difficult experiences of illness and loss. Additionally, Hill plans to extend the brand’s involvement to areas like cancer research and rescue organizations. She mentions her rescue dog, Salem, teaching her and influencing her decision to make a change in th ...
How Taylor is channeling her experiences into building a purposeful business venture
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